The Market ≠ The Dow

Content provided by Grant Engelbart, CFA, CAIA, Portfolio Manager “The market is up 100 points today!” How often do you hear that comment? Some of my family members who have no market knowledge even referenced movements in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). There are so many questions that come to mind when I hear… Continue reading The Market ≠ The Dow

Integrity Counts

St. Louis, Missouri skyline from Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park.

Content provided by Robyn Murray, Freelance Writer Andie Wilkinson was full of energy as a kid. She signed up for every sport she could — often at the encouragement of her parents who were looking for ways to channel her exuberance. She ran track; played soccer, softball, and basketball; she was a cheerleader and a… Continue reading Integrity Counts

The Battle of the Acronyms: SRI Versus ESG

Chess men and your piggy bank of savings.

Content provided by Kostya Etus, CFA, Portfolio Manager Values-based investing has been making headlines and growing a lot of assets recently. What is it? There are many definitions, and it can mean something different to everyone. But, I believe the following are some unifying classifications: Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is the “old school” or “traditional” values-based… Continue reading The Battle of the Acronyms: SRI Versus ESG

Why (Risk-Adjusted) Return Expectations Matter

Double exposure stock financial indices with stack coin and businessman. Financial stock market in accounting market economy analysis.

Content provided by Joseph Smith, CFA – Senior Market Strategist Formulating return expectations is an important component of disciplined investing. Return expectations often fall prey to being unadjusted for risk. At CLS, we evaluate return expectations (CLS Edge Score) after adjusting for risk via Risk Budgeting. Being a disciplined investor requires an expectation of what… Continue reading Why (Risk-Adjusted) Return Expectations Matter

Don’t Let Malware Make You “WannaCry”

Content contributed by NorthStar IT On May 12, 2017, an unpresented wave of ransomware spread via the internet hitting organizations and individuals around the world. The ransomware known as “WannaCry” quickly became front page news.  The purpose of the ransomware, developed by cyber-criminals, was to extort money. The way it accomplished this was to infect… Continue reading Don’t Let Malware Make You “WannaCry”

Optics: Digging Deeper into American Funds

Businesswoman hand typing on laptop keyboard and analyzing business report, working over wooden desk in office in vintage color filter

Content provided by Case Eichenberger, CIMA, Client Portfolio Manager CLS’s American Funds strategies have grown two-fold in the last year or so. That success brings on new advisors, clients, and relationships. As more new people use our strategies, we receive more due-diligence questions addressed to our portfolio management (PM) team. One such question that has… Continue reading Optics: Digging Deeper into American Funds